Intonation Exercises

1. Read each of the phrases below three times: with the falling, rising and falling-rising intonation.

a/ Satisfactory. b/ Impossible. c/ Finally. d/ On Saturday. e/ Mr. Robinson. f/ In Moscow. g/ To New York. h/ Next Year. i/ To the North. j/ All right.

k/ Thank you. l/ Again. m/ At night. n/ Today. o/ Now. p/ She is here. q/ Mind the step. r/ Enjoy the music. s/ Don’t be late. t/ Come to my place, please.

2. Read the questions with the intonation appropriate for each question type.

a/ - Is his child’s eye-sight as poor as his own?

• How can you tell that the Queen is in the palace?

• When you don’t understand something, do you ask your teacher to explain it to you or do you do your best to find it out yourself?

• Timothy believes in UFOs and ghosts, doesn’t he?

b/ - Do you know the story about Robin Hood, a hero of English ballads?

• How many people come to the museum every day?

• Does he really play the guitar or is it only a joke?

• They’ve got a rich collection of paintings started by their great-grandfather, haven’t they?

c/ - Can you tell me the latest news?

• How long do you plan to stay in this job?

• Do you usually have a light or a heavy breakfast?

• Peter and Mary work with Tom’s group in the laboratory as a rule, don’t they?

d/ - Can you touch your nose with your left hand and pull your left ear with your

right hand at the same time?

• Why are you so upset about the whole thing?

• Do you want to buy a bicycle or a pair of roller-skates as a present for your son?

• For all I know there isn’t a nursery I your house, is there?

e/ - Does it mean that you refuse to take part in the play?

- How long does it take you to accomplish this kind of work?

- Does he prefer to stay in a hotel or with his friends?

- Bill lets you drive his car sometimes, doesn’t he?

f/ - Shall I telephone John and tell him about the incident right now?

• Why must you stay at home while everyone else is going out?

• Does she stay in town or does she go to the country for her weekends?

• It often rains in this part of the country in winter, doesn’t it?

g/ - Do you invite your friends to your birthday parties every year?

• How much time a day do you spend with your children?

• Does Mr. Nimble usually travel by train or by plane?

• You aren’t afraid to stay in a dark room, are you?

h/ - Do you do anything to develop your memory?

• When do you hope to finish your research on wild flowers?

• Is Rio de Janeiro the capital of Brazil or of Argentina?

• Peter isn’t as good at physics as he is at literature, is he?

i/ - Are there any facts that can prove your supposition?

• What interests you most of all in Russian history, Mr. Black?

• Is your brother the tall boy with black hair or the short one with red hair and freckles?

• Madonna isn’t as popular as Britney Spears, is she?

j/ - Do Japanese children have as much time to play as children in other countries

do?

• Who takes care of your garden while you are away?

• Do you prefer to spend the evening in the company of your friends or at home with your television?

• You haven’t got any problems or serious disagreements with your parents, have you?